Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
In Manhattan, one bad moment on a job site or at work can change the rest of your life. At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we work with construction workers, transit staff, home health aides, school employees, and others who are trying to handle a work injury claim while dealing with pain and paperwork.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Manhattan helps working New Yorkers move a claim forward step by step. Since 2013, our team has helped more than 26,000 clients across New York. Our lawyers bring over 200 years of combined experience, recovering more than $1 billion for injured people.
Our office reflects the boroughs we serve, and many of our clients come from blue-collar and public-sector work. When another person or company may be at fault, our Manhattan personal injury lawyer reviews whether a second case fits the facts and can handle the workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim together. Review your legal options during a free consultation.
How Our Manhattan Workers’ Compensation Attorney Helps People
After a job injury, many workers face updates from the employer, calls from the insurance carrier, and new medical paperwork all at once. We review what has already been filed, answer questions, and keep the claim moving forward. We handle the parts that tend to slow things down so workers can focus on healing and daily life.
If a claim is denied or questioned, we prepare the case for a hearing and present it to the New York Workers’ Compensation Board.
We also look at whether another company or person (a third party) may be responsible for the accident and whether a separate injury case fits the facts. Many clients tell us the hardest part is trying to heal while managing paperwork and phone calls. Our Manhattan work injury lawyers take on those tasks so workers can focus on medical care and get back to their lives.
How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Work in New York
Workers’ compensation is a system that provides benefits when people get hurt at work or while doing tasks for their job. Filing a workers’ compensation claim usually does not mean you are suing your employer.
In many cases, a worker does not need to prove that anyone meant to cause harm or made a mistake. The main question is whether the injury happened during the job or because of work duties.
A New York workers’ compensation benefits claim can cover:
- Medical care for a work injury
- Checks for lost time from work (when you are out or your pay drops)
- Money for lasting loss of use of a body part
- Help for long-term limits from a serious injury
- Benefits for families after a work-related death
In New York, you generally can choose a treating provider, as long as the provider is authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board (except in emergencies). Employers usually cannot force you to receive treatment from a doctor they choose.
Why New York Workers Choose Us to Handle Their Claims
Many workers come to us after their case starts to feel like forms and phone calls instead of real help. We do things differently. We speak with clients directly, return calls, and explain each step so people know what is happening with their claim.
Our lawyers give each case real attention. We review how the injury happened, look at medical records, and build the claim with care. Many clients want a team that understands construction sites, transit jobs, schools, and other city work. That local knowledge shapes how our workers’ compensation claim lawyer in Manhattan helps injured workers.
We meet with workers across the boroughs and travel when needed, so it is easier to stay connected after a job injury. Many clients tell us our team feels like part of the neighborhood.
No Upfront Cost to Start a Workers’ Compensation Case
Many clients worry about cost after a work injury. Our team handles workers’ compensation claims without upfront fees. The fee comes from the case result, so workers can focus on healing and getting back on track. Call us today to discuss your claim during a free consultation.
Deadlines in New York: When to Report and When to File a Claim
Under state law, workers must report a work injury to their employer within 30 days. A report made promptly also helps you lock down basic facts, such as when, where, and how it happened.
Most employee claim forms must be filed within two years of the accident or illness. For a work-related disease, the rule is generally two years from when you knew (or should have known) the condition was due to the job.
Death claims are generally due within two years of the worker’s death.
Who Can File a Claim for a Job-Related Injury?
Most workers can file a claim, even if they do not work in an office. We often help construction workers, transit staff, home health aides, school employees, corrections officers, and other city workers whose jobs involve physical tasks or long hours on their feet.
Workers who may qualify include full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary, and hourly workers. Many New York City and State employees also qualify. Federal workers follow a different system, and Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers does not handle those claims, including cases involving United States Postal Service (USPS) workers.
Some employers call workers “1099” or “independent contractors.” That label does not always decide who qualifies for benefits. Our Manhattan work injury lawyers look at how the job actually worked day to day.
When a Work Injury May Also Lead to a Personal Injury Case
Some work accidents involve another company or person outside the employer. These are often called third-party cases. They may include unsafe construction sites, broken equipment, or crashes caused by another driver.
Workers’ compensation pays for medical care and part of lost pay. A separate injury case may allow an injured worker to seek damages for pain, stress, and other losses that workers’ comp does not pay for. Our Manhattan team looks at both options and explains what fits the facts.
When a serious accident causes long-term injuries, our Manhattan catastrophic injury lawyer also reviews whether a larger injury case may move ahead with the workers’ compensation claim.
What to Do After a Work Injury in Manhattan
If you are recovering from a work-related injury, here are some steps you can take to protect your claim:
- Tell a supervisor what happened: Note the time, place, and body part hurt. Put it in writing when you can. Remember, New York requires that you submit a written notice within 30 days.
- See a doctor: Usually, you can choose a Workers’ Compensation Board-authorized doctor for treatment.
- File the employee claim: Form C-3 is the worker’s filing. It is often due within two years.
- Keep a paper trail: Save notes about pain you’ve experienced, missed shifts, and job limits. Keep copies of forms, emails, and work messages.
- Talk with our legal team early: Getting help from Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers can help prevent avoidable mistakes, like unclear injury reports or gaps in care.
Talk With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Manhattan About Your Next Steps
Many Manhattan workers reach out to Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers when their claim feels stuck or when paperwork starts to pile up. We listen first, review what has been filed, and explain the next steps so you know where things stand.
Our lawyers work with construction workers, transit staff, city employees, health care workers, and others across the boroughs. We take time to look at each case closely and work toward benefits that fit the injury and the job.
Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You. Speak with our team during a free consultation to learn more about your options.